Two cameramen attached to the National Communications Network (NCN) were “attacked” at an opposition meeting in Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Sunday, the state-run media company said.
It noted that the “attack and intimidation” was led by A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Nima Flue-Bess.
According to NCN, MP Flue-Bess demanded that the cameramen present their IDs. Upon stating their place of employment, the cameramen were told there was no need for them to record the event. This was in spite of other cameras that were in place to cover the said event.
Having stood their ground to execute their duties, MP Flue-Bess allegedly called on Police officials present to have the cameramen removed. The Inspector and Sergeant on the scene engaged the cameramen and then threatened to seize their equipment if they recorded the event.
It was only after the intervention of a Senior Officer that the cameramen were able to proceed with the execution of their duties.
“This is not the first instance during which NCN’s staff have been attacked and intimidated and denied access to events hosted by APNU + AFC. During the National Toshao’s Conference in July, another camera operator who arrived to give coverage to the Opposition’s reception for the leaders at Bookland Gardens, Woolford Avenue, was turned away by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton,” the network said.
It added that in May this year in Linden, the NCN team was again attacked at a walk-about the Opposition had in Amelia’s Ward.
“NCN forthrightly condemns these attacks by the APNU + AFC on its staff and views it as a direct attempt to intimidate and prevent them from performing their duties at a public event. This exposes a glaring double standard by the APNU + AFC which claim that NCN withholds coverage of their events.
NCN has since lodged a formal complaint with the Guyana Police Force and has informed the Guyana Press Association.”
